Best Buy: 20% Of Customers Are Wrong 1234
Mr Show writes "Ars Technica has an article up discussing Best Buy's strategies to drive off the deal hunters. It's a good follow up to the Slashdot story from back in July, and offers some details on what they're actually trying to do."
Only 20%? (Score:3, Funny)
Wear a Name tag! (Score:5, Funny)
Glitch in the Matrix? (Score:5, Funny)
I think this explains alot...
I don't remember, but... (Score:5, Funny)
Extended Warranty and Accessories (Score:5, Funny)
Well, there was one guy here who didn't get it, I heard something happened with his ears after he read the article and he was left helpless and with some HUGE bills. The bills were bigger than just getting the warranty and even more than a new article would have cost.
We were trained to recognize the people who would refuse extended warranties. They're like Barry's, but we call them Dingle Barry's since they're really like unwanted poop that clings to us. If you tell me one more time you're refusing the warranty, I'm going to get on my radio and "start combing out the 'barry's" so to speak.
In other words... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Wear a Name tag! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I don't remember, but... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Are they going to chase you out of the store? (Score:5, Funny)
Buy on dude, buy on!
Perfect timing (Score:5, Funny)
Clerk: I just added these for you.
Dad: Why?
Clerk: This is a UPS. It will protect you against power surges and lightning. And this will protect you against all those viruses.
Dad: I already have a surge protector.
Clerk: Surge protectors are useless against power surges.
[A moment of silence, no doubt induced by the store's mind-numbing window dressing]
Me: Just the computer will be fine.
Clerk: Okay, but if lightning hits it tonight and you bring it back to us tomorrow, we won't take it.
Dad: That's fine. I'll buy another one.
We proceed to checkout, where we are told that not purchasing a service plan puts our souls in danger of perdition, etc. My father has agreed to let me build his next computer.
Good ol' Dell (Score:5, Funny)
Man, Dell makes a living off being that girl that drops by 5 minutes after your girlfriend dumps you. And you wake up the next morning with a headache, an empty wallet, and a big smile.
Re:best way to deal with this (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Words to Best Buy: Suck it up (Score:1, Funny)
So, they can try doing this then.... (Score:5, Funny)
Salesguy: I won't sell it to you.
Customer: What? Why not? Isn't it the TV you advertised in this morning's paper as being on sale?
Salesguy: Yes, you see, that TV there is just a ploy to get you into the store. I'm not allowed to sell it to you, I'm supposed to convince you that this TV is just a "basic" model and this other TV we have here for $300 is much better.
Customer: I guess I'll just need to take my business elsewhere, then,
Salesguy: Good idea!
Reverse psychology ;-) (Score:4, Funny)
Best Buy Guy (Sounding like Mr. Burns): "Excellent"
Obligatory Simpsons Quote (Score:5, Funny)
Back at Moe's Tavern, Moe begins to put the crayon in Homer's nose.
Moe: All right, tell me when I hit the sweet spot.
Homer: Deeper, you pusillanimous pilsner pusher!
Moe: All right, all right. [with a small hammer and chisel,
taps the crayon further up Homer's nose]
Homer: De-fense! [woof-woof] De-fense! [woof-woof]
Moe: Eh, that's pretty dumb. But, uh
Homer: Extended warranty? How can I lose?
Moe: Perfect.
Re:sorry, should have previewed... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wear a Name tag! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Play Acting (Score:4, Funny)
What if you're Jill stuck in Barry's body? (Score:4, Funny)
Have to go drop off the kids on my way to my Wall Street job in my brand new hovercar.
Later.
Re:Good ol' Dell (Score:4, Funny)
Streching the Truth at Best Buy (Score:3, Funny)
Re:sorry, should have previewed... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I don't remember, but... (Score:4, Funny)
I stood about 10 feet away from this guy and seriously laughed out loud at him. He was visibly annoyed, but white collar dad was entranced. Oh well, it's not my job to save people from making dumb purchases. In this case, he suckered that guy into buying a computer, and all I can say is God bless him.
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:5, Funny)
1. $125
2. $2500
3. $5000
4. $10000
Re:Words to Best Buy: Suck it up (Score:3, Funny)
Yeah, but for a $75.00 extended warranty, they'll replace your $50.00 DVD player if it breaks. I'm suprised they don't offer scratch warranties on thier CD's.
*All sales are final. No returns or refunds on any purchase. Refunds are allowed only if the PIN is defective and unused. Refunds cannot be provided for lost, stolen or expired PINs. We recommend you to check the prices, fees and terms before placing an order.
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wear a Name tag! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:3, Funny)
Ummm... The Swiftboat Veterans?
Re:best way to deal with this (Score:5, Funny)
You: 662-352-0151 [66.35.250.151]
I've also given 66 dot 35 dot 250 dot 151 [66.35.250.151]
Clerk: Your phone number
Me: That is the number I use for voice communications
Clerk: No, your telephone number
Me: I don't use 20th century technology, get with the times.
Re:Umm... I don't think so. Try again. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:2, Funny)
Are the salespeople good looking? Hell, even if they're not 90% of
Re:In other words... (Score:4, Funny)
As I carry the little guy to the register:
Salesman: "Is that all for you today?"
Me: "Yup."
Salesman: "Have you heard about our extended warranty which will cover product failure?"
Me: "Nope."
Salesman: "Well, when the product breaks, this warranty-"
Me: "Oh nevermind, I don't want this TV if it's going to break on me suddenly. I thought I could buy a quality product here."
Salesman: "Oh no, it's quality product. See, if the remote breaks, that's $79 right there! We'd replace it if you lose it. The warranty is only $50 so it pays for itself."
Me: "Can I get the TV without the remote just for $60?"
Salesman: "Uhh, no."
Me: "But I can get a generic remote for $9 from one of your competitors, and that's still cheaper..."
Salesman: "Ok sir that will be $139."
At some point during one of my many moves the TV stopped working*. Technically, it would continually go up in channels regardless of what you instructed it to do. Having no extended warranty at this point, I wasn't bummed. (American Appliance had since gone out of business and was being liquidated. Some company was selling their computer inventory at a 10% discount from 1993 prices. We're talking $199 *Quad-Speed* CD-ROM drives on "sale"). I took a $3.99 toe nail clipper and wedged it into the TV through one of the front buttons. Being impervious to death by electrocution, I suffered no harm and automagically repaired my TV. The next time I moved, when I took the toe nail clipper out, it no longer switched channels by itself anymore. I was disappointed, as I had been looking forward to my monthly toe clipping time, by which I could channel surf without needing to do anything.
We got ourselves a communist here (Score:5, Funny)
It has always been one rule for the consumers and another for business.
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:3, Funny)
I few years back I went to the local CompUSA because they had a great deal of memory, and my custom built PC was in need of a little upgrade. I went up to the "hardware" counter with my sales circular in hand and showed the salesperson exactly what I wanted. The salesperson asked me for the brand and model number of my PC. I told her that the PC was a custom built, "white box" PC, so it didn't have any brand or model number. She responded by telling me that she couldn't sell me the memory without the brand or model number of the PC because she wanted to make sure it worked in my computer. I laughed and told her that this was the first time a store didn't want to take my money when it was offered. I don't think that she was amused because she wouldn't relent.
Finally, I told her not to worry, I PROMISE that the memory will work in my PC. Finally, she let me buy the memory, despite what she said was "her better judgment".
To make a long story even longer, the memory worked!
Re:best way to deal with this (Score:4, Funny)
I've been to a best buy that wouldn't take cash unless I provided a picture ID.
Just hold up the $20 bill (or whatever) in front of your face and say, "Hi, I'm Andrew Jackson and I'm legal tender for all debts, public and private!"
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:5, Funny)
In my local supermarket, they've put anti-theft devices on one wheel of each shopping cart. It makes the wheel lock up if you remove the shopping cart from the parking lot.
My favorite part about it is they sign they have posted letting people know about this feature. The sign prominently says that this is "for the convenience of the customer". Yeah, it's a great convenience for me --- for years I've been wishing they'd put an anti-theft gizmo on the shopping cart wheels; it's been such an inconvenience without it. Those marketing folks just have to squeeze their crap in wherever they can, huh?
Re:Best Buy's Reward Zone now ignores rebates (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Best Buy's Reward Zone now ignores rebates (Score:1, Funny)
I have a friend... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Best Buy's Reward Zone now ignores rebates (Score:3, Funny)
Who thinks it would be hilarious to dress up like Best Buy employees, hang out in a store, go up to confused looking customers, and give completely stupid answers? "yes sir, this computer is registered as a weapon under federal laws regulating supercomputers, so you'll need to show us a gun license to make a purchase."
3 easy steps to hack an anti-theft shopping cart (Score:3, Funny)
2. Lift cart over your head, wheels up & walk across painted line/transmitting antenna.
3. Place groceries back into cart.
We havoc wreaker have learned the lesson well (Score:1, Funny)
How dare they ! Listen up you evil terrorist hoarders, you shouldn't take advantage of our offers ! You should just say "no thanks, I'd rather pay full price for the good you just offered at half price ! If you really want I'll pay double for half more" and feel good and proud cause you don't know, but you just helped the national economy by being a massive loser.
They load up on "loss leaders," severely discounted merchandise designed to boost store traffic, then flip the goods at a profit on eBay.
How DARE you make a profit ? These products are supposed to show that we can afford to lose some money and help you, that's how compassionate we are with scum like you ! Ohhh, but noooo you don't want to return us the favor by paying more for paper and ink cartridge of that $30 printer you just bought ! How dare you make a connection between printer ink and paper prices, that's how selfish and untrustfull you really are !
They slap down rock-bottom price quotes from Web sites and demand that Best Buy make good on its lowest-price pledge.
That's only because we're soooo deeply compassionate we just can't say NO to you
"They can wreak enormous economic havoc," says Mr. Anderson.
And spread diseases, cholera, terrorism and all other 69 unspeakable sins ! Told you the evils and the porno are on the internets !
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:3, Funny)
Bloody wonderful
I wish there were a +6 option to give you
:)
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:3, Funny)
10% discount if the cart doesn't go straight.
Re:I love the letter that announced that change (Score:2, Funny)